Straw-stacker



(No Model.)

J. GRUBE.

STRAW STAGKER.-

Patented May 3, 1892.

'lllllll//lllll/lllllll illlilllllllllll/ UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JEFFERSON GRUBE, OF AUBURN, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO THE NEWARK MACHINE COMPANY, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO.

ST RAW-STAOKER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 474,010, dated May 3, 1892. Application filed l'anuary 15, 1892. Serial No. 418,164. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern,.-

Be it known that I, JEFFERSON GRUBE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Auburn, in the county of De Kalb and State of Indiana, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Straw-Stackers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to the improvement of straw-stackers, such as'are adapted to be used in connection with clover-hulling or thrashing machines. Said invention has particular relation, however, to the folding and unfolding mechanism of the sections forming said stacker.

The objects of my invention are to provide an improved folding stacker of this class of such construction as to facilitate the folding and unfolding of the stacker-sections; to so construct and arrange the parts thereof as to insure the retention of the outer stacker in its proper position during the stacking operation; to provide simple and convenientmeans for folding the outer section upon the inner when the sections are extended without the necessity of pulling or moving the machine from the stack, swinging the stacker to one side, or lowering the carrier-frame; to so construct my improved stacker as to permit the folding operation with the side boards in place thereon; to so hinge or join the sections of the carrier as to prevent the binding or undue friction of the parts; to so construct and arrange the parts which will interfere or come into contact with the stack; to provide improved means for locking the rear part of the carrier when unfolded, and to otherwise produce an improved stacker of a construction and arrangement which will be convenient to operate and by the use of which much time and expense will be saved. These objects I accomplish in the manner illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is aside elevation of my improved stacker, showing the sections 0f the carrier thereof unfolded and the outer section locked against folding. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the sections folded. Fig. 3 is a transverse section on line oc of Fig. l. Fig. tis an enlarged sectional view through the hinge-poin t.

Fig. 5 is a view in elevation of a modified form,

of standard bar or lever employed, as hereinafter described, at the folding-point. Fig. G is an enlarged outer side view of one of the standard-bars shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings; and Fig. '7 is an enlarged detail plan view of portions of the operating-barsections, taken at their joints.

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughjecting side boards b3 b4, which at the hinge or joining point overlap each other. To the side of each of the frame-pieces b 52, adjoining the outer end of the former, is affixed by bolts 0r otherwise a hinge-plate b5, said hinge-plate being provided at its forward or outer end with an upwardly-extending ear c. To the inner end of each side of the section b2 is affixed, as prescribed for the plate b5, a hin ge-plate c', the end of which is provided with an upwardly and rearwardly extending ear c2, which corresponds in form with the ear c and which is adapted to overlap the latter. The ear e2 is pro vided about a central opening therein with hub-extensions or hollow bosses c3, which project from opposite sides of said ear. The inwardly-projecting hub c3 passes loosely through a central opening in the earc and projects slightly within a correspon ding opening formed in the inner side board b3.

d represents standard bars or levers, the corresponding ends of which are affixed to the plates c', from which they extend upwardly, being bent to pass over the central portions of the ears c2. Each of these standards or levers d project beyond the upper or outer edges of the side boards, and is pivotally connected with one of the ears c2 by having passing therethrough the outer hub c3 of the ear c2.

The overlapping portions of the side boards b3 b4n on each side of the stacker or carrier frame are, as shownin Fig. 4 of the drawings, pivoted or journaled about the tubular stern of a short pin d', which meets the inner end of the ear hub or boss c3 and forms a continu- IOO 3o sion-piece e.

ation ofthe hollow thereof. This tubular pin CZ is provided with an enlarged head, which is adapted to bear against the inner side of the side board b4. The adjoining parts thus -described are connected by a bolt d2, which extends throughthe tubular pin ct', through the hub c3, and projects 'on the outer side of the standard-bar d. The outer end of each of these bolts d2 has slipped thereon a suitio able washer d3, which bears against the outer face of the standard CZ and which serves as a bearing for the inner face of a suitable nut d4,

which is screwed on the outer end of said bolt d2.

One of the standard-bars CZ is provided, as shown in the drawings, with an upward extension-piece or attachment-bar e. The lower portion of this extension-piece is provided with oneor -moreopenings e', through which zo are adapted to project the ends of suitable bolts e2, which pass through said standards d from the inner side thereof. Upon the pro- .jecting ends of these bolts e2 are suitable nuts e3, by means of which said extension-piece e z5 is adapted to be clamped firmly against the bar d.

f represents the rear section of the operating-bar, the rear end of which is adapted to be fulcrumed to the outer end of the eXten- This bar f extends forwardly to a point preferably in front of the center of the length of the vfront section ct of the stacker or carrier and one side of the framework thereof.

f represents the front section of the operating-bar, the front end of which is pivoted, as shown at f2, to the side frame-pieces b at the heel of the stacker. The rear end of this operating-bar sectionf is provided, as shown, 4o with two rearwardly-projecting plates f3, one

on each face thereof, between the projecting end of which fits the front end of the bar-section f4 represen ts a handle-rod, one end of which is provided with an angular bend, which passes loosely through the-projecting portions of the plates f3 and the forward end of the bar-sectionfand serves to jointedly connect the bar-section ff.

5o To a suitable loop or clevis g on the rear side of the standard-bars d, near its outer end, is hooked or otherwise engaged the rear end of a coiled spring g', the forward end of which is connected with a suitable bracket-hook g2,

which is secured to the outer side of the side frame-pieces b at the desired location in front of the hinge-point of the stacker or carrier sections.

't' represents a hook, which swings from a 6o staple t2 in the side of the front section of the stacker-frame.

7o represents a hook, which projects from the front section of the stacker on that side thereof on which are located the operating- '65 bars, said hook being at a pointin rear of the joint of the two sections ofthe operating-bar. The method of operating my improved stacker is as follows: Assuming that the sections of the stacker or carrier are unfolded or extended and are in alignment with each other, it will be seen that those portions of the hingeplates b5 c which are beneath the ears thereof will abut one against the other. In this position the rear section a2 of the stackeror carrier is prevented from being folded by tension of the springs upon'the forward section, owing to the previous elevation of the front of the bar-section f and the seating of the same within the hook-shaped keeper k. In this position the rear end of the bar-section f and front end of the sectionfare so made to abut against each other as to prevent any forward movement of said bar-section f, while the hook 7c prevents any downward movement thereof. Thus said operating-bar sections provide a substantial brace against the forward movement of the upper portieri of the standard (l and against the folding movement of the outer section. Supposing that the outer section of the stacker is upon the stack and it being desired to fold said outer stacker-section upon the inner section thereof to the position shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, the bar f may be lifted from its seat in the hook lo and the jointed ends of the operating-bar sections drawn downward by pulling upon the handle rod f4. This movement, in conjunction with the springs g-, will result in the outer stacker or carrier section being turned over upon the inner section. The stacker-sections having thus been folded together, the hook/L' may be turned upward and made to engage with the then upper side of the outer stacker-section, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, thus locking the sections against unfolding. Vhen the stacker-sections are folded, the disengagement of the hook and upward pressure upon the rod f4 will, in conjunction with the springs g', enable the operator to readily extend or unfold the outer section of the stacker or carrier. During the folding and unfolding movement of the stacker-sections it will be seen that the overlapping side boards will be fulcrumed upon the hollow pin d and that the hingeplates h5 and standard-'bars d will be fulcrumed upon the hubs or bosses c3 of the ear c2, thus relieving the hinge or pivot bolt d2 from frictional contact with the moving parts. It will also be seen that by effecting an inward or outward adjustment of these hinged or fulcrumed parts the meeting of thehollow pin d and inner hul) c3 and the bearing of the washer d3 against the outer hub c3 will serve to prevent any binding of the side boards, ears, or standards, or levers.

The construction herein shown and described admits of the extending and folding of the stacker by means which are in a convenient position for operation and at all times in reach of the operator. By this means any necessity of pulling or drawing the machine or moving the stacker laterally from the stack in order to fold the outer section upon the IOO inner is obviated. It is evident that the tension of the springs g may be regulated so as to exert the desired influence in the folding or unfolding movement, said springs greatly adding to the ease of operation. The means herein shown for locking the sections againstrmovement when not desired operate to prevent any tendency of the outer section being folded or partially folded through the influence of strong Winds or pressure from the under side thereof.

The manner herein shown and described of hinging the side boards at high points and arranging the same to overlap each other admits of the side boards of one section being folded Within the side boards of the other, and thus obviates any necessity of removing said side boards or hinging the same for the purpose of moving the machine from one point to the other. The common method employed of removing the side boards When moving the machine not only results in the loss of a great deal of time, but often results in the loss or displacement of one or more of the side boards, thus greatly delaying operation and increasing expenses. l

As shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings, I may substitute for one of the standards or levers d and its extension-piece e the standard indicated at e7, the pin e8, Which projects from the outer end thereof, being designed to form a pivot for the outer end of the operating-bar section f.

From the construction herein shown and described it will be seen that my improved stacker may be produced at a reasonable cost of manufacture and that much labor and eX- pense can be saved by its use.

Having now fully described my invention, What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. In a stacker for clover-hulling or thrashing machines, the combination, with the jointed stacker-sections a a2 and standard bars or levers d, fulcrumed at the hinge-point of said sections and rising therefrom, of springs g', afiixed tothe outer ends of said standard-bars and to the sides of the forward stacker-section, substantially as and for the purpose specilied.

2. In a stacker for clover-hulling or thrashing machines, the combination, with the jointed sections a a2 and standard bars or levers d, connecting With the rear section and rising from the hinge-point of said sections, of the jointed locking and operating bar sections ff', the latter being fulcrumed to the front section and the former to one of the standard-bars, subst-antially as and for the purpose specified.

In a stacker for clover-hulliug or thrashing machines, the combination, With the jointed sections a a2 and standard-bar d, connecting with the rearsection and rising from the hingepoint of said section, of the locking and operating bar sections ff', the latter fulcrumed to the front stacker-section and the former to one of the bars d, and a handle-rod f, one end of which jointedly connects said operating-bar sections, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

4. In a stackerfor clover-hulling or thrashing machines, the combination, with the jointed sections a a2 and standard-bars d, connected With the rear section and rising from the hinge -point of said sections, of springs g', affixed to the outer end portions of said standard-bars and to the sides of the front stacker-section, and jointed locking and operating bar sections ff', one of said operating-bar sections being fulcrumed to one of the standard-bars d and the remaining section thereof fulcrumed to the front stacker-section, substantially as and for the purpose specified. v 5. In a stacker for clover-hulling and thrashing machines, the combination of the jointed sections a a2, and standard bars or levers d, connected with the rear section and rising from the hinge-point of said sections, springs g', connecting the outer ends of said standard bars or levers and the sides of the front stacker-section, locking and operating bar sections f f the former fulcrumed to one of the bars d or an extension thereof and the latter fulcrumed to the front stacker-section, a handle-rodf4, one end of Whichjointedly connects said operating-bar sections, and a hookshaped lever 7c, projecting from the side of the front stacker-section and adapted to form a locking-rest, as described, for the operating-bar, substantially as and for the purpose specied. -V

6. In a stacker for clover-hulling or thrashing machines, the combination of the sections a a2, hinge-plates h5 c on said sections, said plates b5 c jointedly connected at points above the side frame-pieces of said sections, and side boards b3 b4, attached to each of said stacker-sections, said side boards having overlapping ends, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

7. In a stacker for clover-hulling or thrashing machines, the combination, with the stacker-sections a a2, hinge-plates h5 c', affixed thereto, standards or levers CZ, rising from said hinge-plate c', springs g', connecting the outer end portions of said standards and the side of the front stacker-section, overlapping ears e c2, formed With said hinge-plates, hubs c3, projecting from said ears c2, upon which said standard bars or levers and ears c are fulcrumed, and the hinge-bolts cl2, passing through said hubs, and nuts on the outer ends thereof adapted to be clamped against the standards d or a Washer d3, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

8. In a stacker for clover-hailing or thrashing machines, the combination, with the stacker-sections a d2, hinge-plates b5 c', secured thereto, ears c e2, formed with said hinge-plates, standards d, rising from said hinge-plates c', side boards b3 b4, supported, as described, on said stacker-sections and hav- IOO IIO

ing overlapping ends, hubs c3 on said ears c2, hollow pins cl', having enlarged heads, the stern ends of said pins forming inward continuations of the inner hub c3, the standards or levers d and ears c fulerumed 0n said hubpins, bolts c2, passing through said hollow pins and nuts, and nuts on the outer ends of said bolts adapted to be turned against the outer sides of the standards d or intervening Washer cl3, substantially as and for purpose specified.

JEFFERSON GRUBE. In presence of- C. C. SHEPHERD, BARTON GRIFFITH. 

